Police have charged a Memphis man with killing and dismembering a woman whose body was found last week in northern Mississippi.More >>

Bond was set Tuesday for a Memphis man accused of killing his girlfriend and dismembering her body before dumping it near a river in DeSoto County.

A judge set bond for James Hawkins at $1.5 million dollars on a charge of First Degree Murder, and an additional $500,000 bond for charges of Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, and Filing a False Police Report.

Tuesday in court, officials revealed more details about the death of Charlene Gaither, 30, whose body was found by a road crew near the Coldwater River in northern Mississippi last Thursday.

According to court documents, Hawkins allegedly killed Gaither in front of her 12-year-old daughter inside their Raleigh home. The girl told investigators she was forced to help Hawkins dispose of her mother's body.

Hawkins initially denied killing Gaither in interviews with detectives, but admitted that after she died, he cut off her hands, feet, and head.

After he dismembered her, Hawkins said, he took the rest of her body to a secluded area of DeSoto County and dumped it. Hawkins told investigators he dumped Gaither's severed hands, feet, and head in another secluded area.

Later, police said, Hawkins admitted to killing Gaither.

Hawkins did not have an attorney with him during his brief appearance in court Tuesday morning. He is set to return to court March 4th.

GOODBYE ANDY: helping a vet

As Andy Wise looks back on his rewarding career in the Mid-South, it's not the bad guys he exposed whom he remembers. It's the innocent victims and the partners Andy pulled together to help precious people like Earnest Sanders, Jr.

As Andy Wise looks back on his rewarding career in the Mid-South, it's not the bad guys he exposed whom he remembers. It's the innocent victims and the partners Andy pulled together to help precious people like Earnest Sanders, Jr.

Youngstown State University student Albert Maruna was caught red-handed and arrested this week after he allegedly attempted to have sex with a 15-year-old boy, who turned out to be an undercover officer.

Youngstown State University student Albert Maruna was caught red-handed and arrested this week after he allegedly attempted to have sex with a 15-year-old boy, who turned out to be an undercover officer.